first impressions of the Pocketop keyboard

[kenknight]

I have just returned from a kayaking trip where I got to try out my new Pocketop keyboard with my SL-5600. I have formed some first impression that I want to share.

Overall my opinion of the kayboard is pretty good. However, it is easy to get into alternate modes such as caplock, numlock, or punctuation lock, and not realize you did it. This should become less of an issue as I learn the keyboard.

For what I am doing, keeping journals on long trips, I don\'t want to look at the screen. In fact, I\'d rather not have the backlight on at all so I can conserve power. It is therefore even more important to me that what I type make it into the Z. On my old, now showing its age, MessagePad 2100 and keyboard, lost keystrokes were rare. However as I read my journal now (entered via Hanicon Word) I see that many many words are incomplete. I know I pressed the keys but the keystrokes did not register. It\'s a bit frustrating to make to, several times per paragraph, have to edit words that re missing characters or insert spaces between words. Note that much of the journal entry was done in a very good environment on this trip. I was actually in a rustic cabin sitting at a table. Often times I would instead by sitting somewhere in the backcountry with the Z and keyboard resting on a sleeping pad in front of me. I am not sure if the keyboard just didn\'t respond to my typing quickly enough or if it had IR signal problems (a reason why I\'d actually prefer a wired keyboard, but according to the manufacture the Man and Machine keyboard does not work with the SL5600 and I am not sure I could deal with the membrane keyboard anyway - if anyone knows ofa  wired keyoard that does work I\'d like to know).

Despite these keybarod issues I was overall happy with the results especially since this was the first time I really used the Z and keyboard together at all.

That being said I would like to find a way to ensure that data is saved on a regular basis without prompting (i.e., me going to Save in the menu) to ensure that data is not lost. Hanicon Word doesn\'t seem to have an auto-save feature and from what I can see the Text Editor does not either. If anyone has suggestions on this front please speak up.

I\'ll have more to say later especially on the Aurora Solar Charger. I didn\'t really get to put this through any paces on this trip but I hope to experiment with it in semi-field conditions soon.

  ** Ken **

[cmisip]

Looking forward to your review of the Solar Charger.

[elvis]

Which Aurora Charger did you get? I\'ve been eyeballing these for a while but from the web page it is not all that clear what the differences are. As far as I can tell, the different models 101, 102, 103, etc seem to differ only on the voltage. Second, which adapter did you purchase for charging the Z?

[kenknight]

I got the basic 103 charger with the adapter for the SL-5600. Actually, if memory serves they just call it a Zaurus adapter. You can pick it when you place an order for the charger.

In general, I think you\'re right the primary difference between the models is what voltage batteries they\'re meant to charge. I picked up the basic 103 because I\'ll primarily use it when backpacking. That means weight is an issue for me. The waterproof version of the 103 would be good if I expected to do a lot of charging on a boat, but that model is 4 times heavier. My guess is that I could put a stock 103 in a suitably sized clear waterproof case or bag and get good results if I needed to charge while on a boat, but I doubt I\'ll ever actually test this out.

It\'s a shame you can use the charger in combination with the battery to power the Z. I\'m not asking for the charger to charge the battery while the Z is running or even for the Z to run soley off the solar charger, but rather that the battery and charger work in concert to power the Z. However, that may be impossible depending on the power circuitry of the Z.

[kenknight]

I just got back from a short 2-night trip on North Manitou island. I've got some further thoughts on my Pocketop keyboard and the Aurora Solar Charger.

I really like the solar charger. It did it's job as well as I expected it too.

I wish I could say the same for the Pocketop keyboard. If you don't position it just right it isn't going to work and that can be tricky when in the field (i.e., on the ground). It is easy to not notice that keys you tap are NOT being entered into the Z (it's hard to see the screen - this is a problem for me, probably not for most people). I found that I was losing letters and especially spaces all the time. Very frustrating. I definitely do not have the same level of confidence that the data I expect to be entered in is going in that I have with my trusty aging MessagePad 2100 and its keyboard (Apple Newton). On that I just type and KNOW it was working. I definitely cannot do that with the Z and Pocketop. Maybe a cradle with the keyboard and Z would help but the Pocketop keyboard cradle won't hold the SL-5600 (if you've figured out how let me know). I also have trouble getting the right keys pressed especially for numbers. I would rather a more full sized keyboard (I just read that Pocketop has one out and I can do a trade-in/up for it. I may do that).

I'd really like to find a serial keyboard that I know will always work they way I expect, but I don't know of any such keyboards for the Z (does anyone else?).

  ** Ken **

[leskimo]

Maybe you could try this?
http://www.pocketop.net/irextender.htm

I like the idea of the irkb101, which lets you hook up a standard ps2 keyboard to the Zaurus IR port, but I don't think it is available any more..?
http://www.wheel.gr.jp/~dai/sl-zaurus/ps2key.html

[leskimo]

DIY serial keyboard adapter
http://www012.upp.so-net.ne.jp/bikkuma/Zau...oardAdapter.jpg
 

[kenknight]

I was looking at the Z and thinking, Damn that port looks a lot like the old Nwton MessagePad 2000 serial port." It's about the same size, but sadly not the same. If it was I might've been able to plug the old Newton keyboard in (and then just have to find a driver to make it work I guess).

I've got keyboards here that use DIN-8 (the little round serial ports), but so far the only adapter cables I've found work with DB-9 male and femail plugs (see <http://www.serialio.com/products/adaptors/ZThinCable.htm>).

[kenknight]

Some more Pocketop keyboard thoughts.

I've now used the keyboard in the field a few times and have some more thoughts on its performance. My biggest gripe is that I am finding key dropouts happen with distressing frequency. I press a key, think a letter was enetered, and move on. But no letter was enetered. Some keys are more prone to this than others. The "e" key is a good example, as are "a" and "w". Yes, I realize those are all left hand keys. I'm sure I can come up with right-hand examples too. It feels like you have pressed the key but you haven't. It's vey irritating.

The lack of number keys is really bugging me. I see they now have a keyboard with the number row but I'm not quite willing to plunck down another $70 for that new keyboard when this one is so new itself.

So compared to using my MessagePad 2100 with its keyboard the Pocketop and Sl-5600 are running a distant second. But they're also running far ahead of the Handspring/Stowaway combination I tried a while back too if for no other reason than I have more confidence in the security of the data.

[V-Man]

My situation is not exactly the same, but I use the PocketTop keyboard very frequently.  Just when in situations such as you have described, I use the builtin keyboard of the 5500.  The only time I actually use the PocketTop is when I am sitting at a desk taking notes or writing.  I don't have the key press drop outs you describe, but that is probably because of the difference in usage.  I agree that the keys are small and it takes quite a bit to get used to it though.  I enjoyed reading your thoughts.  Keep us informed of your adventures with the Z.

Good Luck
V-Man

[Sephiroth]

Maybe you could try this?
http://www.pocketop.net/irextender.htm

I like the idea of the irkb101, which lets you hook up a standard ps2 keyboard to the Zaurus IR port, but I don't think it is available any more..?
http://www.wheel.gr.jp/~dai/sl-zaurus/ps2key.html

For DIY ps2 keyboard/mouse/SNES pad to Serial/IR seek big beefy keyboard in Accessories section.

[rickh]

Maybe you could try this?
http://www.pocketop.net/irextender.htm

I like the idea of the irkb101, which lets you hook up a standard ps2 keyboard to the Zaurus IR port, but I don't think it is available any more..?
http://www.wheel.gr.jp/~dai/sl-zaurus/ps2key.html

I ordered one of these, never to receive the product, or hear from them.  They do not answer emails or phone calls.

If you decide to order it, be VERY careful.

R.
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